Examining the context of Matthew 23:9

[Robert]

Matthew 23: 5 But all their (context: "The scribes and the Pharisees") works they do to be seen by men. They make their phylacteries broad and enlarge the borders of their garments....9 Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven....12 And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted. 

 

 

What is the issue within the above context?  

 

Answer:   Self-exaltation, i.e., performing outward works to bring attention and glory to oneself as it pertains to spiritual leaders. So Jesus is warning believers not to call our spiritual  leaders "father" because that tile belongs exclusively to Him. He alone is our Holy Father.

[Robert]

Ellen White:

 

"While they (the Scribes and Pharisees) claimed to be very jealous for the honor of the law, self-glory was the real object which they sought; and Christ would make it manifest to them that the lover of self is a transgressor of the law. But the principles cherished by the Pharisees are such as are characteristic of humanity in all ages. The spirit of Pharisaism is the spirit of human nature."  (Thoughts from the Mount of Blessings, 79)

[Robert]

Matt 19:16 Now behold, one (commonly know as the Rich Young Ruler) came and said to Him, "Good Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?" 

 

 

17 So He said to him, "Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God."

 

 

Here the RYR addresses Christ, not as the Son of God, but as a common teacher of the law (a Rabbi in some versions).  But notice the adjective "good" preceding "teacher" is what Christ objected to when responding to the RYR.

 

 

Again, our spiritual leaders are not to be addressed as "good".  Adjectives such as holy, good, righteous, etc are words that describe God and not fallen, sinful human beings.

[LifeHiscost]

 

  But notice the adjective "good" preceding "teacher" is what Christ objected to when responding to the RYR.

 

 

Again, our spiritual leaders are not to be addressed as "good".  Adjectives such as holy, good, righteous, etc are words that describe God and not fallen, sinful human beings.

 

Christ was only making a point that if the RYR was to address Him as good, he (the RYR) must also recognize Him to be Who He (Jesus) admitted Himself to be, God the Son.

 

1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God....John 1

 

God is Love!  Jesus saves!